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A New Threat Emerges

In advance of the Lights Out mini-event to occur next month across the DC Comics New 52 Green Lantern family books, which will provide new status quo for the characters in only a few short months from the last status quo change at the end of Geoff Johns run, comes the origin of Relic during Forever Evil’s Villains Month.

Relic is the new Big Bad, literally “big” BTW, that will be a new foil for the bearers of the power of the emotional spectrum.

In Green Lantern #23.1 we learn his origin.

Spoilers follow for Green Lantern #23.1: Relic.

When Is Relic From?

He is longer lived than we thought. He existed before the current universe was created when there were other bearers of the emotional spectrum. Looks like Relic is from an existence not chronicled by DC Comics even pre-Flashpoint and the New 52.

Interesting reveal of an earlier emotional spectrum.

What Motivates Relic?

We further learn why Relic sees the emotional spectrum as forces of destruction leading to his eventual confrontation with their champions in Lights Out.

Emotions lead to the destruction of Relic’s existence. It looks like he’s going take out his frustration on the “next generation” of the emotional spectrum in the New 52; he wants to snuff them out in Lights Out?

New Pre-Big Bang Folklore?

Interesting pages. Did you notice the similarity of two of the pages and a classic bit of DC Comics imagery? Let’s compare them side-to-side-to-side (first two images on the left from Green Lantern #23.1).

The hand of creation! Relic has been around since the creation of existence! The new element is the first image that shows a hand destroying the “existence before ours” then, presumably the same hand, does the more classic opening of the hand to create the new universe.

Why Would One See A Connection Between Relic & Darkseid?

There are three pretty big reveals across both Green Lantern #23.1: Relic and Justice League #23.1: Darkseid that fuel my theory.

Anyhow, the seeming connection between these cosmic villains are explained below.

Spoilers now ALSO include Justice League #23.1: Darkseid.

(1) The Source

It looks like Relic found the Source Wall which is a classic New Gods / Jack Kirby Fourth World concept.

(These two images are from Green Lantern #23.1: Relic.)

The Source Wall was and is a barrier at the edge of the universe. In old folklore it is where new and old gods go after or as they die. They become embedded in the rock of the wall. How the Source Wall works in the DC Comics New 52 has yet to be explained, but this cosmic wall seen in Green Lantern #23.1 seem to fits its bill.

Good to see that DC is using some of Jack Kirby’s creative gifts to the company in the New 52.

(2) The Cosmic Somewhen Connection

Relic’s existence is also an “existence before ours” while “the old gods” in the DC New 52 are the ones Darkseid kills to gain his powers.

(The image on the left is from Green Lantern #23.1: Relic while the image on right is from Justice League #23.1: Darkseid.)

If the current New Gods are part the Fourth World, as Jack Kirby called it, could Relic – despite his scientific leanings which to some inferior beings may make him seem god-like – be a part an earlier order of old gods? Second World maybe?

(3) Stark Stature

It has been established that Darkseid and his New Gods are significantly bigger and taller than the typically humanoid DC Comics characters in the New 52. Relic is also massive in comparison to the humanoid Green Lanterns.

(The image on the left is from Green Lantern #23.1: Relic while the image on right is from Justice League #23.1: Darkseid.)

Relic, an older god perhaps? Time will tell. An intriguing character nonetheless.

What’s Next For Green Lantern?

Let’s not forget what’s in store for Green Lantern over the coming year, Relic included. Below was the “things to come page” used when writer Robert Vendetti took over Green Lantern from Geoff Johns in issue #21.

What did you think of Green Lantern #23.1: Relic and Justice League #23.1: Darkseid?

About The Author

John Babos

John is a long-time pop culture fan, comics historian, and blogger. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief at Comics Nexus. Prior to being EIC he has produced several column series including DEMYTHIFY, NEAR MINT MEMORIES and the ONE FAN'S TRIALS at the Nexus plus a stint at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column. As BabosScribe, John is active on his twitter account, his facebook page and welcomes any and all feedback. Bring it on!